ABSTRACT
This chapter summarizes general information on salt-affected soils and factors influencing their formation and reclamation, and discusses salinity and sodicity as plant/crop stress factors. Soil salinity and sodicity problems are present in nearly every irrigated area of the world and also occur on nonirrigated crop lands and rangelands. The properties of the stress factors for plant and crop growth originating in soil are diverse and multi-faceted. Different techniques of reclamation and preventive measures or management practices are used for the reclamation of salt-affected soils and to reduce the salt content of the growth medium or to find more stress-tolerant plant/crop species and cultivars via genetic engineering to combat salinity stress. To evaluate particular reclamation strategies, some specific considerations should be noted, as follows: The quantity of water needed, The quality of water needed, The quantity of amendments to be used, The type(s) of amendment(s) to be used, The time required for reclamation to be completed.
